DJOYbeat Event Spotlight
Pretty Lights @ Red Rocks Amphitheater
Since he made a name for himself with his jazz/soul/hip-hop-influenced sound in Boulder, Colorado from 2007 to 2008, Derek Vincent Smith A.K.A. Pretty Lights has become all but synonymous with the Colorado music scene itself. To improve upon his last four Red Rocks performances, Smith has announced that he will incorporate a 13-piece orchestra into his show. Each night will feature three sets with staggered performers; Smith alone will kick off each night with a solo production set, then his live band will join him for the second, and the orchestra will complete the picture for the third.
The Weekend Rundown
Thursday, August 7
NRG Thursdays at Beta Nightclub ft. John Digweed, Dragon and Klutch Beat @ Beta Nightclub
A mainstay of the dance music community since the early ’90s, John Digweed participated in underground raves in Hastings, England as far back as ’93. Although no longer touring with long-time collaborator Sasha, Digweed’s progressive house performance will be a must see for anyone seeking to take a journey through EDM’s past. Dragon will warm up the decks for this installment of NRG Thursdays, and Klutch Beat will assume their usual position in the Beatport Lounge.
Re:Creation Thursday Gaslamp Killer, Eliot Lipp, SuperVision and Vibe Street @ The 1up Colfax
San Diego-based hip-hop DJ/producer Gaslamp Killer and Brooklyn-based electro artist Eliot Lipp will make for an eclectic mix of aural stimulation at 1up Colfax, the second in Jourdan Adler’s chain of bars whose primary attractions are their extensive collections of old arcade machines. Opening up for the night will be Dallas-based SuperVision and Colorado’s own Vibe Squad.
Recon DNB First Thursdays ft. Jamal, Panther and X-TS Emcee @ Milk Bar
Recon DNB’s tenure as a Colorado drum ‘n’ bass outfit has afforded them the opportunity to bring San Fransisco-based Jamal to SoCo Nightlife’s Milk Bar. Panther and Recon DNB’s residents along with X-TS Emcee will supply additional music for this no-cover event.
Friday, August 8
Bassic Fridays ft. Kennedy Jones, Coult 45, Mystical Influence and P.U.N.C.H.I.S. @ Beta Nightclub
From his days as a dubstep DJ/producer to his recent foray into trap music, Southern California-based Kennedy Jones has rode the major bass music trends long enough for his music to catch on in the EDM mainstream – artists as big as Carnage, Brillz, Borgore, Major Lazer and 12th Planet have showered him in support. Colorado-based Coult 45 and Mystical Influence will open the main stage with performances by the P.U.N.C.H.I.S. artists in the Beatport Lounge.
Vanilla Ace, Derek Specs, Will Raidle, Falcon Punch and Black Amex @ Bar Standard
Home Denver’s Fridays at Bar Standard have provided the more mature, low-key segment of the dance music community with quality entertainment since NORAD Dance Bar closed several months ago, and this installment will be no exception. UK-based house/nu-disco DJ producer Vanilla Ace tops this bill along with Derek Specs, Will Raidle, Falcon Punch and Black Amex.
Arise Music Festival ft. Beats Antique, Polish Ambassador, Galactic, Grateful Grass, Kan’nal, Mr. Bill and more @ Sunrise Ranch
Perhaps one of the more anticipated local campground festivals this Summer due to its EDM/jam band/ bluegrass crossover lineup, Arise Music Festival will also feature yoga workshops all three days and is open to all ages. In its second year, the festival will bring together music fans from several crowds to the scenic Sunrise Ranch in Loveland, Colorado.
Elsewhence VJ Meeting @ Fusion Factory
Nicole Stark of local bass music promotional company Sub.mission recently remarked that Fridays at Fusion Factory were “one of the last real warehouse parties in the city.” Indeed, the venue hasn’t even posted event lineups to its page since June, and most attendees (largely burners and other fringe music enthusiasts reminiscent of the early rave scene) only even find out about its events when clubs with liquor licenses close for the night. Tonight is no different, as the only thing on their website’s calendar is “Elsewhence VJ Meeting,” although some of the best house in the city will undoubtedly be dropped there.
Half Color ft. Michael Menert and Paul Basic @ The Gothic Theater
One of the musicians of Pretty Lights Music, Michael Menert, will take a break from participating in his bandmates’ Red Rocks festivities this weekend for his collaboration with Paul Basic.
Saturday, August 9
Proper Saturdays ft. Just Be, Marshall Monica vs. Reed Tribou and Mahesh Presents @ Beta Nightclub
Having gone by many names throughout his career, Just Be (born Matthew Benjamin) steeped his sound in the underground warehouse parties of the UK during the acid house era. The ever-popular Marshall Monica will spend her time on the main stage tag teaming a set with Reed Tribou for this installment of Proper Saturdays, and Mahesh Presents will occupy the Beatport Lounge.
Bag Raiders, RiCHARD GEAR and Rose Hips @ Club Vinyl
Electro-pop duo Bag Raiders has tapped out the Australian festival scene and even made an appearance at Ultra Music Festival in Miami this year, so their set at Club Vinyl arrives with plenty of anticipation. RiCHARD GEAR and Rose Hips will open the evening.
Sunday, August 10
303 Magazine Pool Series ft. Lea Luna @ Breakers Resort
This installment of the 303 Magazine Pool Series features a Colorado transplant-turned Los Angeles pop artist whose local following only seems to have grown in her absence. A singer-songwriter as well as a DJ/producer, Lea Luna prides herself on riding the line between mainstream and underground while managing to make a statement with her music.
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